I would suggest a stone hearth matching the plain stone trim but not as wide as the whole unit to reduce tripping hazard. Possibly with a black trim edge. Then a mantle shelf. the same stone would be great but probably too heavy. I think a 'live edge' timber mantle would be great and introduce an organic edge to the straight lines and angles. then paint the flat surface a neutral colour as others have suggested. display something with white/cream tones (candles?) and something with an accent colour on the mantle. if mantle too pricey a big artwork a little wider than the fireplace itself with some black in it or a black background chinese screen or similar. I have no commercial affiliation with them (just like their work) and don't know where you are based but Time 4 Timber Brookvale NSW could probably help you with a live edge shelf/mantle. good luck!

Understand what you are saying, it is a built in fire model and not a free standing, so to build it in you would either have to box it in internallyor external brick work would need to to worked with. The easier choice,I think would be to box it in internally similar to the photo tyrian posted, or just to the height of the fire box with the flu exposed. Do you have a model number that can be googled for installation details or contact Lopi supplier for this to ensure safety.

Lovely fireplace, but back to the two main questions. Will removing the render make a mess? Yes, there is no easy, clean way to remove render, and there is no guarantee that the material underneath the render will be in a condition that you would want to live with, without additional finishing. The fine dust will be the worst as it gets everywhere. Is there sandstone under the render? Based on the age of the house and being of cheaper weatherboard construction I would have thought it unusual to have an expensive, labour intensive sandstone fireplace, unless it was a sandstone veneer on top of structural brickwork, which was commmon in the late 1950's and 1960's. However you did mention that there are sandstone stumps which are pretty rare, as hardwood, brick or concrete stumps were commonly used. Why would anybody craft sandstone stumps? Your close-up photo does look like it may be sandstone, although it could be where the decorative, textured, top render coat has chipped away from the coarser, base render coat. I am curious to know why anybody would render a sandstone fireplace, and the sandstone plinth below the weatherboard? I think that the first thing you need to do is to confirm that the stumps and plinth are actually sandstone, as they would be very unusual for a 1950's weatherboard house. I am not sure how structurally safe sandstone stumps would be unless they were broad and shallow, not thin and tall like most stumps. The curved, upper part of the fireplace is most likely bricks laid as a soldier course, with render over the top, as curved sandstone slab is hard to carve cost-effectively. If the height of this curved part is about 230mm-240mm then it is most likely brickwork. You can also check the recess between the rectangular base and curved top to see if it matches standard brick dimensions. I would be very cautious about removing the current render as I think that it is less likely there is sandstone underneath, and even if there is sandstone it won't be in great condition being a porous stone which has had render over the top. Best of luck, Dr Retro of Dr Retro House Calls

Hi Jane, I didn't think the Study was a bedroom that's why I suggested changing it to the laundry. He would have a bigger bedroom using Bed 4 The deck at the front was a great idea another place to sit.as the house is already quite pretty The garage is as you say ridiculously narrow and I consider having a driveway with a garage at the end a waste of space anyway. The one good thing is that it is on the boundary, I think so gives you maximum space. are you able to bring a carport forward towards the street, just add that to your plan. Your neighbors aren't likely to complain about anything there as it's also on their blind side. Is the garage under the same roof as the old extension? Who uses the other 3 bedrooms as there's only 3 kids, would you agree to move the bathroom back into bedroom 4 and keep the powder room and linen cupboard where I lastly placed the family bath? Sorry but I'am trying get rid of "The toilet block" across the end of the courtyard. Or would you consider adding the laundry into the garage along with your WIR and possible study.